Web Developer in Bellevue, NE

The Salary Picture: Where Bellevue Stands

As a local who’s watched the tech scene evolve from the early days of dial-up to the current cloud-first environment, I can tell you Bellevue offers a surprisingly solid value proposition for web developers. It’s not a tech hub like Omaha, but its strategic location and stable economy create consistent demand.

Let’s get straight to the numbers. The median salary for a web developer in the Bellevue metro area is $90,663 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.59 per hour. Compared to the national average of $92,750, Bellevue is slightly below the national benchmark, but this gap is more than compensated for by the lower cost of living. There are approximately 128 jobs actively listed in the metro at any given time, with a robust 10-year job growth projection of 16%, which is promising for long-term stability.

To understand where you might fit in, here’s a breakdown by experience level. These are estimated ranges based on local job postings and industry benchmarks, adjusted for the Bellevue market.

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range (Bellevue, NE)
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$65,000 - $78,000
Mid-Level	3-5 years	$78,000 - $95,000
Senior-Level	6-9 years	$95,000 - $115,000
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$115,000 - $135,000+

When you compare Bellevue to other major Nebraska cities, the picture becomes clearer. Omaha, as the state’s largest metro, commands higher salaries but also a significantly higher cost of living. Lincoln, home to the University of Nebraska, has a strong student-driven tech scene but salaries often lag slightly behind Omaha. Here’s how they stack up:

City	Median Salary (Est.)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100)	Key Tech Driver
Bellevue, NE	$90,663	92.5	Defense, Logistics, Local Business Services
Omaha, NE	$95,000+	95.5	Finance, Insurance, Healthcare, Tech Startups
Lincoln, NE	$88,000	92.0	University, State Government, AgTech

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the salary number. In Bellevue, a $90,663 salary goes much further than the same amount in Denver or Austin. The local market rewards full-stack developers and those with specific experience in government contracting, a big employer in the region.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be practical. A salary is only as good as what it leaves in your pocket. Using Nebraska’s state income tax rates (varying from 2.46% to 6.84%) and federal withholding, a single filer earning the median $90,663 can expect a take-home pay of roughly $67,000 to $70,000 annually, or about $5,580 to $5,830 per month after taxes and standard deductions.

Now, let’s layer in rent. The average one-bedroom apartment in Bellevue rents for $878 per month. This is a key advantage. Let’s build a monthly budget for a web developer at the median salary.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Median Salary: $90,663)

• Net Monthly Pay (after taxes): $5,700 (estimated)
• Housing (1BR): $878
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet): $180
• Groceries & Household: $400
• Transportation (Gas/Car Payment/Insurance): $350
• Health Insurance (Employer Plan): $150
• Student Loans/Other Debt: $300
• Retirement (401k, 5% match): $380
• Discretionary/Entertainment: $1,062

This budget shows significant discretionary income—over $1,000 per month—which is a luxury in many tech-centric cities. The low housing cost is the primary driver.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Bellevue is approximately $250,000. With a 20% down payment ($50,000), a 30-year mortgage at current rates would result in a monthly payment (PITI) around $1,400 - $1,600. For a single person earning $90,663, that mortgage payment is roughly 25-28% of their gross monthly income—well within the recommended 28% rule. Dual-income households make this even easier.

Where the Jobs Are: Bellevue's Major Employers

Bellevue’s economy is anchored by a mix of defense, logistics, and healthcare. While you won’t find the FAANG companies here, there are solid employers with consistent needs for web developers.

1. Offutt Air Force Base & STRATCOM: As the largest employer in the area, the base and its associated contractors (like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Northrop Grumman) have a constant need for web developers for internal applications, training portals, and secure communications systems. Security clearance can be a massive advantage here.
2. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (Corporate HQ): While their real estate is nationwide, their corporate headquarters is in Omaha, serving the broader metro. They need developers for their proprietary real estate platforms, agent portals, and customer-facing websites.
3. CHI Health: A major healthcare network with clinics and hospitals across the metro, including nearby Nebraska Medicine. Their need for patient portals, internal EHR interfaces, and public health websites is steady.
4. Union Pacific Railroad: Headquartered in Omaha, UP is a massive employer with a significant presence in the region. Their digital transformation initiatives require developers for logistics tracking, employee portals, and customer applications.
5. Kiewit Corporation: Another Omaha-based giant in construction and engineering. They need developers for project management tools, safety applications, and public-facing corporate sites.
6. Local Digital Agencies & Startups: The Omaha metro, including Bellevue, has a growing scene of smaller agencies like Pixelate and Halo Media. These are great places to cut your teeth on diverse projects and build a portfolio. The tech startup scene is more vibrant in Omaha’s Aksarben Village and Blackstone District, but a short commute opens those doors.

Hiring Trends: There’s a clear trend towards hybrid or remote roles, especially with Omaha employers. However, on-site and hybrid roles are common at Offutt and its contractors due to the nature of the work. Full-stack skills (React, Node.js, Python) are in highest demand, followed by specialized experience in government compliance or secure development.

Getting Licensed in NE

For web developers, the good news is that Nebraska does not have a state-specific license to practice, unlike fields like architecture or engineering. There is no "Nebraska Web Developer License." However, professional credibility and certain niches do involve certifications.

• State-Specific Requirements: None for general web development. If you work on government (state or federal) contracts, you may need to pass a background check, but that’s an employer process, not a state license.
• Professional Certifications (Recommended):
  • AWS Certified Developer/Architect: Valued by many local enterprises moving to the cloud.
  • Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect: Similar to AWS, useful for larger corporate environments.
  • CompTIA Security+: A baseline for any developer working near defense or financial sectors, as it demonstrates an understanding of security principles. This is highly recommended if you aim for a role at Offutt or a defense contractor.
• Costs & Timeline:
  • Exam costs for certifications range from $150 to $300 per attempt.
  • Study time varies, but 2-3 months of dedicated study is typical for a foundational certification like Security+.
  • You can start applying for jobs immediately. Certifications are a "nice-to-have" for most private sector roles but can be a key differentiator for defense or contracting positions.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Bellevue is uniquely positioned. You can live in a quiet, suburban neighborhood or a more urban part of Omaha with a reasonable commute. Here are top picks, balanced by lifestyle and commute.

1. Old Towne Bellevue: The historic heart of the city. Charming, walkable, with a mix of local shops and cafes. Commutes to Offutt or South Omaha are very short (5-15 minutes). It has a small-town feel but with the amenities of a city. Rent Estimate: 1BR Apartment: $850 - $1,050.
2. Southwest Bellevue (near 156th & Harrison): A newer, family-oriented suburban area with modern apartment complexes and single-family homes. Easy access to major highways (I-80, I-680) for commuting to Omaha. Great for those who want more space. Rent Estimate: 1BR Apartment: $900 - $1,200.
3. Aksarben Village (Omaha): Technically in Omaha, but only a 15-minute commute via I-80. This is the "tech corridor" of the metro. High-density, modern apartments, walkable to restaurants, bars, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. It’s where many young professionals live. Rent Estimate: 1BR Apartment: $1,100 - $1,400.
4. Dundee (Omaha): An older, established neighborhood with beautiful tree-lined streets and historic homes. It’s more residential and quiet, but with a strong sense of community. Commute to Bellevue is about 20-25 minutes. Good for those who want a classic neighborhood feel. Rent Estimate: 1BR Apartment (in older building): $800 - $1,000.
5. Benson (Omaha): Similar to Dundee but with a more eclectic, artsy vibe. It’s a hub for local music and unique restaurants. Commute is similar to Dundee. Great for a developer who values a creative, local scene. Rent Estimate: 1BR Apartment: $750 - $950.

Insider Tip: If you’re working at Offutt, living in Bellevue is the ultimate time-saver. You’ll avoid the worst of Omaha rush hour traffic (which is mild compared to bigger cities) and be home in minutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Bellevue isn’t a "move here and get rich" tech hub. It’s a "move here and build a stable, high-quality-life" market. Your growth is tied to specialization and moving up in local enterprises or the federal contractor space.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Government/Defense Clearance: The single biggest salary booster. A developer with an active Secret clearance can command a 15-20% premium over the median. This is your path to the highest salaries in the region.
  • DevOps & Cloud Engineering: As more local companies migrate from on-premise servers, skills in AWS, Azure, and CI/CD pipelines are in high demand, commanding a 10-15% premium.
  • Full-Stack with a Modern Framework: Being proficient in a popular stack like MERN (MongoDB, Express, React, Node) or Python/Django keeps you competitive for both local agencies and remote roles.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. From Junior to Mid-Level: Focus on owning features, learning the business domain (e.g., logistics for Union Pacific, healthcare for CHI), and improving code quality.
  2. To Senior/Lead: Mentorship, architectural decisions, and leading small projects. Many seniors in Bellevue work for Omaha-based companies but live in Bellevue for the housing value.
  3. To Expert/Management: This often involves moving into a Principal Engineer role or into technical management. The ceiling for pure development in the local market is around $135k+. To go higher, you typically need to:
     • Move into a remote role for a coastal company (taking advantage of Bellevue's low COL).
     • Take a management track at a large local enterprise (Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific).
     • Become a specialized consultant in a niche like federal web security.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 16% job growth is your best indicator. This is driven by the continued digitalization of traditional industries (agriculture, logistics, finance) and the stable presence of government and defense. The rise of remote work is a double-edged sword: it increases competition from national applicants but also lets you access higher-paying coastal jobs while enjoying Bellevue's affordability. To stay ahead, continuously update your skills and consider contributing to open-source projects to build a visible portfolio.

The Verdict: Is Bellevue Right for You?

This isn't a one-size-fits-all decision. Here’s a straightforward breakdown.

Pros	Cons
Very Low Cost of Living: Your $90,663 salary feels like $130k+ in many tech cities.	Limited Local Tech Scene: Fewer meetups, fewer startups, less "energy" than a major tech hub.
Short Commutes: 5-20 minutes is the norm, freeing up personal time.	Lower Salary Ceiling: Top-end local salaries cap out around $135k without remote work.
Stable Job Market: Defense, healthcare, and logistics provide recession-resistant employment.	Cultural & Social Options: Fewer concerts, museums, and niche food scenes than Omaha or Lincoln.
Home Ownership is Attainable: A realistic goal for a single developer, not a distant dream.	Weather: Winters are cold and can be harsh; summers are hot and humid.
Access to Omaha's Amenities: A 15-minute drive puts you in a larger city with more options.	Fewer Entry-Level Roles: Many local junior roles are competitive; you may need to start in Omaha.

Final Recommendation:
Bellevue is an excellent choice for specific profiles:

• The security-conscious developer looking for a clearance-based role.
• The pragmatic professional who values time and financial stability over nightlife.
• The family-oriented developer or someone planning to buy a home early in their career.
• The remote worker who wants to maximize their salary's purchasing power.

It's a poor fit if:

• You thrive on the constant buzz of a major tech conference city.
• Your career goal is to work at a FAANG company (you'll need to live elsewhere, though remote work is possible).
• You want to be in the epicenter of a venture capital-funded startup scene.

For the right person, Bellevue offers a rare and powerful combination: a real tech career with a median salary of $90,663, paired with a cost of living index of 92.5 that allows you to build wealth, not just pay rent.

FAQs

1. Is it feasible to work remotely for a coastal company while living in Bellevue?
Absolutely. This is a growing and highly recommended strategy. You can command a salary closer to the national average ($92,750+) while paying Bellevue rent ($878/month). This maximizes your income and savings potential. Reliable high-speed internet is available throughout the metro.

2. Do I need a car in Bellevue?
Yes, almost certainly. While you can live walkably in Old Towne or Aksarben, the city and its major employers (like Offutt) are spread out. Public transportation exists but is limited. A car provides the freedom to explore the wider Omaha metro and commute efficiently.

3. What's the tech community like? Can I network?
The community is smaller but tight-knit. The best networking happens in Omaha at events hosted by Silicon Prairie News, Startup Nebraska, or meetups in the Aksarben and Blackstone districts. Bellevue itself has fewer formal events, but the proximity to Omaha makes it easy to participate. Online communities (local Reddit, LinkedIn groups) are also active.

4. What's the biggest challenge for a web developer new to Bellevue?
The biggest hurdle is often adjusting to the pace and culture. It's quieter, the social scene is more limited, and the tech "buzz" is less palpable. It requires being proactive in finding community and creative in using your downtime. The reward is a balanced, low-stress lifestyle that many find worth the trade-off.

5. How does the job market for juniors compare to seniors?
It's tighter for juniors. The 128 jobs in the metro skew toward mid-level and senior roles, especially in the defense and enterprise sectors. Juniors should be prepared to:

• Apply to roles in Omaha (a very short commute).
• Consider remote entry-level positions from national companies.
• Build a strong portfolio with live projects.
• Be open to contract-to-hire or junior roles in web agencies. Persistence is key.